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Article: To create a new dahlia, start now by touching anther to stigma (it's easy).
- Article from:
- Sunset
- Article date:
- August 1, 1990
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1990 Sunset Publishing Corp. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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To create a new dahlia, start now by touching anther to stigma (it's easy) The plant-breederhs art may seem cloaked in mystery, but its mechanics are straightforward enough for any gardener. Dahlias are good flowers to start with because you see the results of your work in just a year. Here we show how dahlia fancier Frieda Parker breeds her plants.
Start in mid- to late August or early September to be sure seed from your crosses ripens before you dig and store tubers for winter.
For parents, select two plants whose characteristics you think would go well together (realizing that, even so, the result is largely up to chance). Then decide which bud you ...